What Playing Youth Sports Taught Me About Being An Adult

Robbie Ann Darby (RAD Experience) is a “Texas born/California raised” actress and dancer turned fitness expert. With over 10 years of experience in the fitness and wellness industry, she has had the opportunity to teach and train all over the Southwest and Northeast however she currently lives in NYC. Follow her sweaty life on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@RADexperience) for more fun health and fitness tips! @RADexperience

Designed to encourage families to break sedentary routines and make play a priority, while also having a positive social impact, the Active Family Project has teamed up with both the US Youth Soccer Association & World Cup legend, Olympian, wife and mother, Brandi Chastain. Together, they will be supporting US Youth Soccer through a donation of soccer equipment to under served communities, giving more families the opportunity to be active together through soccer!

This is right up my FitGirlalley, since I spent my entire childhood and adolescent years on the soccer field. So I am not only a living witness to what this sport has and can do to the health of our youth, but also their emotional well-being and self development. I had a blast recently chatting with my teenage FitGirl idol, Brandi Chastain and I am so excited to share what playing youth sports taught me about being an adult.

#1 Teamwork Really Does Make The Dream Work

When I asked Brandi what life experiences she’s gained (beyond the physical) by playing soccer, we both agreed the number one thing was teamwork. When children play on a team, it immediately instills in them the value others bring to the table and helps them constructively identify their own strengths and weaknesses. The byproducts of this union: trust, confidence and vulnerability– all which are highly attractive qualities worth having no matter your age.